Page 114 of Pretty Little Fears

“Mom?”Myvoice cracks as the words leave me.Idon’t know if it's the shock or my brain short circuiting but when she turns her head and those blue eyes meet mine,Ifeel a piece of my soul crack.

Hereyes fill with enough tears to fill an ocean as she stares at me.Hervoice shakes as she speaks, “Mysunshine?”Sheplaces her hand on the wall next to her, using it to help her stand.Herhair is greasy and dirty, and she wears a long white dress that's littered with stains, but her eyes still flash the same warmth they always did when looking at me. “Isthat really you?”

Sheruns over to me andIdon’t know how to react.Mybody mimics autopilot mode as her arms wrap around me andIfeel like that six-year-old boy again.Shepulls back and places her cold palms on my face.Istill haven't said anything.Ican’t speak.

“Ican’t believe you’re here.I’mso sorry.I’mso sorryIleft you.”Tearsstream down her dirty cheeks, leaving a path of clean streaks as they do.

“Howare you alive?”They’rethe only wordsIcan manage to speak.Withher chilled, bony fingers against my face, it almost feels like sheisdead.

“Shhh, sunshine.Notnow.I’llexplain everything soon.”Shegives me a soft smile andIcan see her trying to hold it together.Muchlike she always did for me.

Theinitial shock starts to wear off andIlook behind me atBlair.We’rein a similar environment to the one we escaped not too long ago, it could potentially be triggering for her, andIneed to make sure she’s okay, too.

“Youalright?”Iask softly and she responds with a light nod.

Takingmy mother’s cold hand in mine,Istart to lead them from the room when she gasps abruptly, making me pause.Ilook back at her to see her staring ahead of me.Followingher eyeline, it's directed toBlair. “Isaw you,” she says. “Isaw you at the gala.”Shelooks back at me, her eyes shining with tears again, “Yousaved her too?”

Myheart picks up at the notion thatIsavedBlair.ThatIsaved them both.Smilingover at my little obsession,Irespond, “Shesaved me first.”

Blair’scheeks heat as she smiles back at me.Shegives me a lingering look before turning and heading up the stairs.Lookingback at my mom,Igently squeeze her hand, then begin leading her out of this cage that she’s called home for who knows how long. “Let'sgo home, mom.”

Witha soft, hesitant smile, she follows, anticipating what other demons await her outside of these four cement walls.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE

BLAIR

Wakingup today,a small smile graced my face at another night of peaceful sleep.Thenightmares have been less frequent, andI'mthankful for that.Theywere never the same and caused me to relive the traumasIhad experienced.Iwonder ifEmmett’smom gets them, too.

Serais staying at a secluded cabin they own, taking some much needed time to herself.Iget it.I’mgrateful she's free and where she belongs.Emmettwanted to join her, but she insisted on going alone.Shedid meet him in the middle and let him hire security to monitor her and check in with her every few hours.

Witha new semester starting soon,Idecided that my time atBlackwoodis not yet complete andIwant to stay.I’mnervous and unsure of how my future here will play out, butI’mready to start moving on.Tofeel normal again.Whathappened to me does not define me, andIrefuse to let it control me anymore.

Becausea new semester is coming, the school has to do something with itsdean-lessstatus.They’vesent out emails letting us know thatJameshas been reported missing and that they don’t have any additional information at this time.

Obviously,Iknow the truth of what happened and where he is…well, where his remains are anyway.Inthe meantime, they’re looking for someone to take his place.Emmettwould have been the obvious first choice, but he would have had to switch his major and shadow the interim dean until he had the proper education and experience.

Hedeclined in favor of graduating first and wanting to pursue his own goals.Hehasn’t gone into detail about them since much of the focus has been onSeraand myself.ButI’mcurious to know what his true passion is and what he wants to spend his life doing,besidesworshiping me.

Itdawns on me thatIknow the depths of his soul butIdon’t know something as important as what his dreams are.Iguess with everything we’ve been through together, it makes sense that small talk has been put on the back burner.Imake a mental note to ask him soon.

Ibrush down my yellow sundress in the mirror while looking myself over.Emmettdidn't tell me what he had planned for today, just to be ready and to wear a pretty dress.Irolled my eyes at the command from him.Despitewhat has happened, he never lost his bossy touch, andIappreciate that.Ithelps.

Ilook down at my phone vibrating as a text comes through.

Emmett: I'm here, little obsession.

Glancingover at the mirror once more,Ituck a loose wave of my hair back, then grab my purse and head out.Throwingmy phone into the bag,Ihead downstairs and stop at the entryway mirror to check my appearance for a final time, before stepping out the front door.

Mymouth drops asIlook at what he decided to pick me up with.Hisfucking motorcycle.Thatwouldn’t be an issue except,Ididn’t wear any fucking panties. “Closeyour mouth, baby.Idon’t want anyone to see you the wayIdo.”Hechuckles.

Iclamp my mouth shut and walk over to him.Heputs the helmet on my head before holding out his hand and guiding me onto the bike.Itry to push my dress down to cover myself asIthrow my leg over and scoot on the back.Thefeeling of the leather against my bare skin makes my cheeks heat.

Emmettturns the bike on and revs the engine as he starts to move.Thevibrations go straight to my bare clit pressed against the seat, causing me to gasp. “Whatis it, baby?”Heasks me.Idebate ifIshould say anything but the words flow out.

“Ididn't wear any panties,”Iwhisper.

Ifeel his body tense underneath my hold. “Littleobsession, are you telling me that you have your bare cunt on my bike right now?”Amusementlaces his voice but it's dim compared to the desire seeping through.

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